Raithu Bandhu Scheme rolled out by the Telangana Government seems to be going to be the new populist measure in the hands of Political Parties. It is a scheme which can not be ignored by any political party in the state even though the opposition parties have opposed the scheme in the past alleging that it has benefitted only the rich.
35.3 lakh farmers have benefitted in Telangana by farm loan waiver program while 58.5 lakh people benefitted in Telangana by Raithu Bandhu scheme. Farm Loan Waivers do benefit only to those who availed farm loans. There are about 23 lakh people in Telangana who do not have farm loans.
Obviously, Raithu Bandhu will be more popular than Loan Waiver scheme. Moreover, Rythu Bandhu is a direct cash transfer program while the loan waiver is not. We have seen government keeping many riders to the Loan Waiver scheme which are also eating away the benefits the farmers get.
Hence people do choose Raithu Bandhu over Loan Waiver. This is for that reason, no political party can say that Raithu Bandhu will not be implemented by them if they are voted to Power. One need not wonder if the Political parties of Andhra Pradesh pick up this scheme for the coming elections.
